Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X4725
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Shifting shapes, shifting risks: density-driven leaf plasticity in Salvinia auriculata (Salviniaceae) and its effects on herbivory by Samea multiplicalis (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

Se a forma muda, os riscos mudam: plasticidade foliar influenciada pela densidade em Salvinia auriculata (Salviniaceae) e seus efeitos na herbivoria por Samea multiplicalis (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)

Glauco Cássio de Sousa Oliveira; Guilherme Ramos Demetrio; Flávia de Freitas Coelho

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X4725 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e14, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: This study investigated whether phenotypic plasticity induced by different plant density conditions in Salvinia auriculata affects herbivory and the abundance of Samea multiplicalis larvae.

Methods: The study consisted of two stages: (i) In October 2022, four weekly samplings were conducted, during which ~30 clonal structures of S. auriculata were collected from two ponds differing in plant density. From each pond, 30 ramets were randomly selected to measure floating leaf width and length. Larval presence and the frequency of herbivory on floating leaves were also recorded; (ii) An experiment was conducted using 30 ramets from each density condition, placed individually in 500 mL containers. Five larvae were introduced per container, and after seven days, the number of partially and fully consumed leaves was recorded.

Results: S. auriculata displayed density-dependent plasticity: plants from high-density conditions developed longer, wider, and more vertically oriented leaves. Despite this, leaf consumption did not differ between density conditions, although both larval abundance and herbivory marks were higher under high-density conditions.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the high-density phenotype of S. auriculata may facilitate the establishment and herbivory of S. multiplicalis, potentially by offering structural refuge against predators and environmental stressors.

Keywords

aquatic macrophyte; freshwater ecosystems; macrophyte–insect interactions; pond; southeast Brazil

Resumo

Objetivo: Este estudo investigou se a plasticidade fenotípica induzida por diferentes condições de densidade de plantas em Salvinia auriculata afeta a herbivoria e a abundância de larvas de Samea multiplicalis.

Métodos: O estudo consistiu em duas etapas: (i) Em outubro de 2022, foram realizadas quatro amostragens semanais, durante as quais, aproximadamente 30 estruturas clonais de S. auriculata foram coletadas de duas lagoas com densidade de plantas diferentes. Em cada lagoa, 30 rametes foram selecionados aleatoriamente para medir a largura e o comprimento de suas folhas flutuantes. A presença de larvas e a frequência de herbivoria em folhas flutuantes também foram registradas; (ii) Um experimento foi conduzido utilizando 30 rametes de cada condição de densidade, armazenados em recipientes de 500 mL. Cinco larvas foram introduzidas em cada recipiente e, após sete dias, o número de folhas parcial e totalmente consumidas foi registrado.

Resultados: S. auriculata apresentou plasticidade dependente da densidade: plantas de condições de alta densidade desenvolveram folhas mais longas, mais largas e orientadas verticalmente. Apesar disso, o consumo de folhas não diferiu entre as diferentes condições de densidade, embora tanto a abundância larval quanto as marcas de herbivoria tenham sido maiores em condições de alta densidade.

Conclusões: Nossas descobertas sugerem que o fenótipo de alta densidade de S. auriculata pode facilitar o estabelecimento e a herbivoria de S. multiplicalis, potencialmente oferecendo refúgio estrutural contra predadores e estressores ambientais.

Palavras-chave

ecossistemas de água doce; lago; interações inseto-macrófitas, macrófitas aquáticas; sudeste do Brasil

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Submitted date:
06/11/2025

Accepted date:
05/06/2026

Publication date:
07/15/2026

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